Values, original or modded

[Skyedriver]

Usually, I think original but I'm looking at a car from the 1970s, British small manufacturer, which has had a lot of well engineered mods to engine, fuel injection, electronics, transmission and I believe probably suspension as well as some bonnet mods to improve cooling. Modern seating and retrim in leather.
Should I value it higher or lower than a bog standard car?
Really can't decide, known it a long time, should be more driveable and reliable.

Edited by Skyedriver on Friday 3rd February 06:54

[LotusOmega375D]

Well if you’re buying, you should certainly value it lower.

[Mark A S]

I think this depends very much on what car it is ?????

[healeyneil]

A classic car dealer I know reckons that originally wins the day every time in terms of prices he achieves. Bad news for me !

[ZedLeg]

healeyneil said:

A classic car dealer I know reckons that originally wins the day every time in terms of prices he achieves. Bad news for me !

Yeah, originality will always one on a pure value basis. It means you can pick up a really well sorted car for less if you're not bothered about it though.

[V8covin]

Mark A S said:

I think this depends very much on what car it is ?????

I agree.
I've seen well modified Minis for example fetch more than comparable standard cars......well modified meaning worthwhile upgrades not outlandish bodykits,massive wheels,garish paint schemes etc

[Decky_Q]

When I've restored classics I've always upgraded the engine, brakes, interior etc. But kept it period, so it is just the best version that could have been bought originally. Always been offered strong money for them come sale time.

If it's a restomod with lots of modern modifications I dont think I'd have the same market/demand so inevitably price is lower?

It's worth what you are willing to pay.

[Skyedriver]

Thanks, interesting comments, won't give the game away as to the actual car yet. Will if/when I buy it. Looking at all the usual sources, prices are all over the place anyway, although they don't come up for sale often, and it would seem many have had more modern engines fitted. There's none on PH, one on ebay and three on C&C but all older versions. It's a car I used to see every day in the 70's when on my way to work, loved it then, hopefully will still love it when I get to see it again.

[//j17]

A lot depends on the market you're looking at.

1. Collector Cars/Garage Queens - Always original, ideally matching numbers for top money.
2. Practical Classics/Driven and Used - Sensible, sympathetic upgrades for top money (unleaded conversion/drum->disk brake conversions/seat belts/etc).

[CABC]

I saw Nick Swift plug his laptop into his Mini at Goodwood.
some cars were already very advanced

[crankedup5]

Funny old World is classic and vintage cars, not long ago a nicely restored car with shiny paint was valued higher than the old bus with faded paint and a down at heel look. Apparently that reversed now. Think it’s referred to as patina
I would go for the patina but with well fettled mechanicals.

[Pete54]

For real concours stuff - it has to be original or just with 'period modifications'. They might even boost the valuation if they were done at the time. As part of a restoration - probably cost neutral.

But if you want a car to enjoy and drive - the question is much more nuanced. There are a lot of modifications which frankly make the vehicle much nicer and more practical to drive. My own has a modern fuel injection system and all of the engine and suspension mods which the after market have developed over the last 10 to 15 years. It is great to drive - most of the character (apart form horrible fuel consumption and a reluctance to start on cold mornings, without the background fear of breaking down and costing a fortune.

But and it can be a big but - it is not worth what a proper concours car would cost. And the mods were not that cheap. But I hve a character full car, with dropp dead looks and I can put a hundred thousand more miles on it!

[vpr]

As mentioned, very much depends on the car.

Old Ford RS’s for example have got to be pin point perfect down to every nut and bolt.

Etype can be whatever you like UNLESS it’s particularly rare such as outside locker or Commemorative for example.

[Mr Tidy]

Total originality always seems to get the highest prices.

But I'd have no problem with a car that had some period modifications, like an Escort Mexico with a Burton or Harris engine and twin Webers, etc. - just a shame I can't afford one.

[lowdrag]

In the Jaguar world I rarely come across what one would class as a true "original" car. Take mine for example; electronic ignition, LED lights, uprated four-pot Zeus brakes etc. You have to know your car to spot the modifications some times, but if you use your cars - and I still do - it makes for an easier driving experience. I don't think dealers would cavil too much about these mods, but they would if the car wasn't correct in other ways, such as matching numbers and the correct colour of paint and trim, which mine is.

[Gemaeden]

In the world of early Lotus Elans, modified seems to get highest price.

https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/107497/s...

[Skyedriver]

Gemaeden said:

In the world of early Lotus Elans, modified seems to get highest price.

https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/107497/s...

In that case they certainly do. That's a 26R though, not an Elan road car and it was driven (allegedly) by a well know racing driver at some point.

Although reading the advert, it was built from scratch (hard to get hold of scratch what with Brexit etc) in 2019, possibly (?) from standard Elan shell maybe??

[spoodler]

Pretty much impossible to say from your post...
A "ruined" valuable classic will obviously be worth less than an original good one, on the other hand, a well modified sit up and beg Ford Pop' will be worth many times more than any standard car.
In the custom van world, folk will pay considerably more for a van with all the options they desire (flash paint, alloys, portholes, sidepipes...) than they will for a bare van.
If you fancy a modded car, buy one with the mods you want and be prepared to pay more - saves buying a standard car for slightly less and spending a fortune on parts...

[PAUL.S.]

Once over 25 years old the norm used to be that originality trumped modified and such cars start getting turned back to standard.

However a recent sale of an F40 blew that idea out of the water.

Heavily modified ex racer, with no real provenance that could not find a buyer in europe sold for $2.7 million in the states, over a million more than the purists valued it at! and more than another that also sold for less that was completely standard and low miles.

Horses for courses.

[soxboy]

Skyedriver said:

Usually, I think original but I'm looking at a car from the 1970s, British small manufacturer, which has had a lot of well engineered mods to engine, fuel injection, electronics, transmission and I believe probably suspension as well as some bonnet mods to improve cooling. Modern seating and retrim in leather.
Should I value it higher or lower than a bog standard car?
Really can't decide, known it a long time, should be more driveable and reliable.

I think it depends how well the upgrades have been done and whether they suit the age and character of the car. Are they discrete to the extent that only those who would know could spot, or are they blindingly obvious?

For example, you say modern seating and a re trim in leather, but is that looking original or some horrid leather that looks like vinyl and has diamond stitching?

Are these mods typical of the make and model or would it stick out like a sore thumb?

Is there good demand/ strong prices for an original one?